Tips to Stain a Deck

Easily stain your deck this summer and provide a refreshed look by using the Wagner Control Pro 130

Staining a deck can seem like an overwhelming task for any homeowner. The cleaning, the drying, the painting...it can take a lot of time! But with the right supplies, you can get this project done in a weekend.

This deck is about a year old and had never been stained before. The wood needed to be sealed before Chicago winter rolls around, so I found a stretch of 3 dry summer days and got to work!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Step One

First, you need to get your deck really clean! The Wagner paint sprayer came in handy for this step. I filled it with cleaning solution and got to work spraying. This job went so much faster with the sprayer and I was able to cover the lattice and spindles easily. I then hosed it off and lightly power washed to get the deck really clean. I let the clean deck dry for one day before moving onto step 2.

Step Two

Fill your Wagner paint sprayer with your deck stain. I went with a semi-transparent stain in the color “Spanish Moss.” I used plastic, drop cloths, and painter’s tape to protect the grass and side of my home from overspray.

Note: The Control Pro 130 comes with a 515 spray tip that is great for latex paint. If you're applying stain, you'll need a 313 HEA spray tip for stains (sold separately) or 211 HEA spray tip for sealers (sold separately).

I started spraying the lattice with the paint sprayer putting a fine mist on and sweeping my hand in a back and forth motion. It would have taken me hours to paint the lattice by hand, but the paint sprayer got it done in a matter of minutes!

I used that same technique to cover the spindles. The good news is the Wagner paint sprayer holds 1.5 gallons, so I didn’t have to stop all the time to fill it with more stain.

Step Three

With the lattice, railings, and spindles covered I focused on the floor of the deck. I ended up using a stain pad and brush for this step.

Step Four

Let your deck dry for at least one day before adding your furniture back onto your deck.

After

Here’s my new deck! I was able to get this daunting task done quickly with the help of my Wagner Control Pro 130. I can’t wait to enjoy this space for years to come.